Where are they now- How the recent AUL defectors have fared in the LSL

Summer no longer just guarantees a spell of good weather, longer nights, holiday’s, ice cream and festivals you are also sure to get teams trading the AUL for the LSL.

Last season a whopping eight teams won protests to make the shift while the number this year is already up to five.

Rivervalley Rangers, East Wall Rovers, St Michaels, Columbians and Blackrock have all moved to a league that provides them with a chance to play Intermediate football.

While the league swap is nothing new- the likes of Tolka Rovers and Cherry Orchard have roots in the AUL- there is a new trend to the departures. Previously teams made the jump after achieving all the could in Junior football and with an Intermediate goal in mind.

In recent summers Premier B sides have elected to change the AUL acronym for the LSL one, indeed sprinkled among the defectors over the last two seasons have been teams competing in Saturday leagues.

It’s a massive worry for the AUL bosses and they have tried to prevent certain teams switching of late. It also seems to have caused strife within the LFL structure and is said to the be part of the reason the FAI are carrying out a big review.

However, drama and turmoil aside there are a number of clubs who seem happy to have made the switch and are focusing on affairs on the pitch.

We here at the JSP decided to have a look at how the most recent migrants have done in their home.

Kilbarrack United

Before the arrival of Usher Celtic to the party Kilbarrack were Premier A greats Sheriff YC’s biggest threat.

Indeed, the clubs rivalry in the FAI Junior Cup and the top flight made the league one of the most attractive to follow earlier this decade.

Leaving the AUL proved a big call for them last Summer and was a massive blow for the Junior top flight.

The move has proved a successful one as Robbie Arnold and Jonathan Meleady guided them to a Major Sunday title.

United pipped their fellow former AUL side to first place in the highest LSL junior league and as of now are an Intermediate outfit.

Ayrfield United, Castleknock Celtic, Trinity Donaghmeade:

Ayrfield, Castleknock and Trinity Donaghmeade battled it out for the title in their first season in the LSL.

All three were place in the Leinster Senior League sixth tier last Summer and instantly won promotion.

In fact the three sides new to the division all contested for the title. Castleknock finished on 51 points and Trinity Donaghmeade finished on 59 points a point behind champions Ayrfield.

All three move to within one promotion of Intermediate football.

DAA, Ashbourne

DAA and Ashbourne competed in the league below, Premier Sunday.

DAA finished seventh in the first LSL season while Ashbourne finished fifth.

Collinstown FC

Collinstown’s move to the LSL came somewhat as a surprise. The Clondalkin side never won Premier A, but they were a darling of the league. They had progressed through the ranks, won Leinster Junior Cup and are a renowned progressive club.

There move to the LSL didn’t stop that progression two seasons in they have secured two promotions on the trot and as a result are now an Intermediate side.

The Kevin Carroll managed side also managed to bag some cup success over the last two season including a second Leinster Junior Cup win for the club.

St Kevin’s Boys

St Kevin’s another established AUL side made the move at the same time as Collinstown and while they came up from Major 1 Sunday with the former Premier A rivals they couldn’t muster back to back promotions.

A ninth place finish in a very competitive top LSL Junior league means St Kevin will play Major Sunday again next season.

Teams like Hartstown Huntstown, Inchicore, Corduff and Ballymun United have also made the move in recent years.

Ballymun have enjoy massive success. The North side club have progressed to the league and promotion this season means The Mun are now a top flight Intermediate side and the appointment of former Sheriff manager Alan Reilly leaves an exciting season ahead.

Inchicore Athletic are an other side to reach Intermediate level. Athletic won promotion to Senior 1B to gain Intermediate status and finished third in the LSL fourth tier two seasons agao secure promotion to Senior 1A. Last season they finished two places of a third successive promotion.

Hartstown Huntstown competed in the division below for the second season running after finishing eight 2016/17 finished ninth the season just gone.

Near neighbours Corduff and Castleknock remain down in the junior ranks but both won their division Corduff being crowned Premier 1 Sunday champs while Castleknock won Division 3 Sunday.